Tommy Roma: Celebrating a Life Well-Lived

Secretary/Treasurer Jimmy Warden shared with LTS attendees that Tommy was a NAPS member for 47 years, with 25 years serving on the Executive Board. “Tommy was all about building relationships because he knew those relationships would benefit the members,” Jimmy said.

“I want to speak about the man I grew to know over 15 years traveling with him. Whenever we traveled and checked in at our hotel, the first thing he asked was where the nearest Catholic Church was. He did it his way, but his way was led by a path led by God.”

Tommy was a little rough around the edges, but always gave an honest answer. Jimmy told the story of when he and Tommy were at an event for former Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) hosted by former New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon.

“We were in a private suite,” Jimmy reminisced. “Fred came and sat next to us. Tommy recalled that he and Fred both attended Lafayette High School in Brooklyn.

“Tommy recalled he saw Fred play baseball. Fred asked, ‘Was I any good?’ Tommy responded, ‘Well, you weren’t too good; actually, you sucked.’ I thought we were going to get thrown out of the box!

“Fred responded, ‘So you did see me pitch in high school!’”

Jimmy said Tommy had a deeper side, led by his faith. He contributed over the years to charities, including animal shelters. “I called him the Birdman of Staten Island,” Jimmy offered. “Walking in Staten Island, Tommy found a bird with a broken wing. He took it to the vet. After being treated, Tommy took the bird home to heal. That’s the kind of person he was.”

Recently, the New York group was in Puerto Rico; Tommy was having a tough time walking and was pushed in a wheelchair to the plane. On the return trip, Tommy sat next to an autistic boy. At one point, the boy needed to go to the restroom and got up from his seat and headed for the restrooms at the front of the plane.

The flight attendant told the boy he needed to return to his seat, which unsettled the boy. Tommy got up from his seat and came down the aisle to help. He took him to the back of the plane, waited for him and took him back to his seat.

After deplaning, the boy ran up to Tommy and started hugging him; they both thought that was the last time they would see each other. Then, at the luggage carousel, the boy saw Tommy and ran over to him again. That’s the kind of guy he was.

“Tommy had a love and will to live,” Jimmy stressed. “His faith guided him; he did not fear death. He truly believed that living on earth was his path to everlasting life.”

One of the last conversations Tommy Roma Brooklyn Branch 68 President Jamaal Muhammad had with him, Tommy said he had had 85 good years; he knew what was on the other side waiting for him.

“Help others, build those relationships,” Jimmy urged. “If you see someone in trouble, help them—help Tommy’s legacy continue.”

Tommy died March 11, five years to the day NAPS Headquarters was dedicated in honor of the late President Vince Palladino on March 11, 2020.